Wednesday, December 11, 2013

Sleepy Hollow 1.10 Review: The Price of Living

Anyone that has yet to watch
Monday night’s episode of Sleepy Hollow,
entitled ‘The Golem’, this would be the time to do that. This is not a spoiler
free blog. THIS REVIEW MAY CONTAIN
SPOILERS! Proceed at your own discretion.

In my opinion, this week’s episode
was incredibly well done. And I say that, despite having to watch it on the Internet
because my stupid DVR skipped the recording. This was the perfect continuation
of last week’s episode, where Ichabod learned he had a son. We actually got to
see a bit of what happened to the boy, and what his name was. The only thing I
do have to say, is that his death better not mean they’re done with his
character because you cannot just drop a bombshell like that one week, and then
just expect nothing more of it the next. I think that the season finale should
have the hex lifted to stop his heart, and he’ll be alive for next year, but
more neatly written then that.

Alright, so I realize everyone is
feeling like Abby and Ichabod, because they are the two witnesses and because
of their “chemistry”, is a couple worth shipping, but I am still adamant that
they don’t work that way. Ichabod just has way too much chemistry with Katrina
for there to be any other woman in his life, romantically speaking. I mean, did
no one see these two and their ability to convey such passion between them when
they’re in purgatory? And even if Katrina were to eventually die, I don’t see Abby
and Ichabod working out as couple, even though they’re the only two they can
share their fate with because they have very little chemistry in a romantic
capacity. They work brilliantly as friends, and wonderfully as partners, but if
they were to start up a relationship it would seem more as one of convenience. Okay,
that’s all I’ll see; I’ve made my peace with it now, I think.

When it comes to the characters
and the acting, I have to say that Ichabod is brilliant, and someone I
constantly want to listen to speak – both because of his accent and his
eloquent use of the English language… Why can’t people speak like that these
days? Anyways, I also think Irving is my third favourite character (behind
Ichabod and Katrina), and that Orlando Jones plays him superbly. My one problem
with this series lies with Abby. I just find that her use of tone grates with
me and doesn’t make her acting anymore natural – and it wasn’t seeming that way
to begin with. And while she didn’t seem to do it nearly as much this week
(yay, improvement!), she definitely is one to overact with her facial
movements. It’s very distracting having her on screen sometimes; she may even
be my least favourite character of this series. Also, I’m still having trouble
differentiating Henry Parrish from Walter. I just… don’t think his character is
as good, or as unique as he could be.

All in all, this was a very
enjoyable episode. I loved the rush to find out what had happened to Ichabod’s
son, and then the grief in having to let him go. Also, I really enjoyed
Irving’s interactions with his ex-wife, and his apology to her, and especially
his daughter (played by the lovely Amandla Stenberg, whose acting abilities
will really take her places). This series can definitely be a hit and miss each
week, particularly with its pacing of the story, but for the most part I think
it was very adept at getting the point across this week. Although, I do think
they seemed to wrap up what happened to the son rather quickly, but there are
only two episodes left in the season, and that does make for a need to rush.
Sure, twenty-two episodes may have meant a few filler episodes, but this twelve
episode business is not making the story any tighter, and just increases the
need for rushing progression, and I really think that detracts from the overall
story. Also, I’m not really caring that it seems Moloch is going after Abby’s soul;
I kind of couldn’t care less about her character. Honestly, her sister is kind
of more interesting than she is.

My rating: 8 out of 10.

Best Lines:

“If your God has a plan, who’s it for – me or Him?” – Irving
asks.

“Without books we have neither a past or a future.” –
Ichabod states.

“That is not a choice you were given, my friend.” – Henry
tells Ichabod.

Okay, so I’m going to probably watch Trophy Wife and then call it quits tonight. I am so exhausted
still, and this headache is threatening to become a migraine, so I’ll probably
make it quick. Stay tuned.